TROY -- The demolition of the former City Hall building will resume Thursday, Troy officials said Tuesday, clearing the way for the redevelopment of the site with two apartment buildings.

Total demolition time is estimated at six weeks, as Troy officials negotiate to sell the land to Troy City Center LLC, which plans a $31.5 million redevelopment of the site that would include about 100 apartments, ground-level retail space and a promenade linking Monument Square to the Hudson waterfront.

"By no means is demolition the end of the process," said Mayor Harry Tutunjian, "but it's nonetheless a very important piece."

Troy moved its government offices to a rented Sixth Avenue building late in 2009. And demolition of the former City Hall building -- derided for decades for its stark architectural style -- actually began last December, when work crews punched holes in the structure.

That move came despite City Council efforts to prevent the razing.

Critics said Tutunjian ordered the partial demolition to insure there would be no turning back on redevelopment of the site.

The city subsequently received three citations from the state Department of Labor for starting the work without removal or abatement of asbestos.

Still, anger at the decision to begin demolition seems to have subsided, especially since the unveiling last month of the dramatic proposal from the Troy City Center group.

That project, a partnership between Nigro Cos. and The Richman Group, still requires City Council approval of the negotiated land sale and planning board approval of the building plan.